Palace bucks NZ ex-PM’s advice

“Unwise, if not cerebrally challenged” was how Malacañang described the proposal of former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark for the Philippines to decriminalize the use of illegal drugs in its antinarcotics campaign.

“We suggest observers, especially those in foreign countries, to understand fully the Philippine government’s strategy in dealing with illegal drugs before being persuaded by one-sided information and crafting unwise if not cerebrally challenged commentaries,” presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement on Thursday.

Part of dreaded evil

A similar proposal by the European Union two years ago was rejected by President Duterte, Panelo said.

“Take out the criminal liability of those involved and you induce and encourage others to be a part of the dreaded evil,” he said. —JULIE M. AURELIO